_To Mr. C――――._
_London, Jan. 15, 1753._
_My dear Mr. C――――_,
I Owe you a letter and much love. The one I will now pay you, the other debt our ♦common LORD must discharge. I despair of doing it, because I run upon fresh arrears to him and his dear people every day and every hour. I willingly therefore own myself a debtor to high and low, rich and poor, to all, of all denominations whatsoever.――What have we to do with a party or sectarian zeal? Why should not our heaven begin on earth?
_All that we know they do above,_ _Is, that they sing, and that they love._
O for some fresh anointings of the blessed spirit! Then will the scales fall more and more from our eyes, and the veil of ignorance be taken more and more from our hearts. Then shall we be more and more content to think, and let think, and be studious to be of one heart, where we cannot be of one judgment or mind. The sweetness of such a spirit, is unspeakable; it brings with it its own reward; it frees the soul from a thousand needless jealousies, and selfish passions, and enables it to put the reins of government into his hands, who alone orders all things well. LORD, increase in us this spirit, and give us more and more to love all that bear thy image, though they may not in all things agree with us!
_O may we find the ancient way,_ _Our wond’ring foes to move;_ _And force the heathen world to say,_ _See how these christians love!_
My dear brother, your kind letter constrains me to write thus.――Blessed be GOD for what has been done at any time, by any instrument, at _Newcastle_. I still pray that the town may be full of new creatures. In _London_ we have reason to rejoice. Yesterday was a great day of the Son of man; both at the sacrament, and under the word preached, our LORD gave us to drink of the wine of the kingdom. On _Monday_ last we followed three believers to the grave, and triumphed over death on his own ground. O what a CHRIST have we! GOD help us to love him more, and serve him better! I salute all most heartily with whom you are in fellowship.――Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon you. I beg a continued interest in all your prayers, and subscribe myself, dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend, and ready servant for CHRIST’s sake, _G. W._
♦ duplicate word “common” removed